INFJ Careers, Jobs, Majors

By Dr. A.J. Drenth

The INFJ is skilled with people and enjoys helping others solve their problems. INFJs often take up work in teaching, ministry, and counseling, career choices that allow them to guide and support others.

Like INTJ career-seekers, INFJs are not necessarily opposed to assuming positions of leadership. Their primary stipulation is that they are working toward an end that accords with their ideals. For this reason, they may be drawn to non-profit work, often rising to positions of leadership in which they do a little of everything—casting the vision, writing grant proposals, marketing, hiring, etc.

INFJ Career Challenges

INFJs are driven to see their ideals, produced by their Introverted Intuition (Ni), perfectly translated into reality. One of the more common frustrations of INFJs is the disparity between their idealistic visions and the less than ideal way things tend to play out in reality. For instance, those interested in teaching or politics may feel their hands are tied as a result of deeply-entrenched practices or power structures. The INFJ is left with the choice of spending their lives fighting what seems like an uphill battle or to opt for a path of lesser resistance.

In response, some INJs may try to content themselves with being mere producers of ideals without direct involvement with their actualization. In typological terms, they focus on N while downplaying the importance of S. This may be why INJs are so common among academics (especially INTJs), since the academy allows them develop their theories more or less independently of their application. INJ writers also enjoy the opportunity of expressing their ideals without direct concern for their application.

Like ENFJ career seekers, INFJs are generally less interested in career hopping and trial-and-error experimentation than INFP career seekers are. They prefer to lay down roots when possible, as changes in outward circumstances can be unsettling to them. Their anxiety toward outer instability may be exacerbated by a difficult economic climate, which may lead them to settle for mediocre jobs. Even those preferring to go back to school or do something different may avoid doing so because of looming economic fears.

INFJ Holland Career Code / Interests

To orient our discussion of INFJ career interests, we will now draw on six interest themes described by John Holland and the Strong Interest Inventory. The Holland career interest themes include the Realistic (R), Investigative (I), Artistic (A), Social (S), Enterprising (E), and Conventional (C) domains, collectively known as “RIASEC.” After identifying one’s preferred interest domains, these letters can be combined in a way similar to the personality types to form a multi-letter “Holland Career Code” (e.g., IAS, RAI). This can help individuals identify their best career match. While often possessing career interests in several different domains, of the six RIASEC categories, INFJs commonly gravitate toward Social, Investigative, and Artistic pursuits.

Individuals with Realistic interests enjoy physical, hands-on work. Those attracted to Realistic work tend to enjoy working with “things” more than people. It is therefore unsurprising that this interest domain is correlated with a preference for Thinking (T). Research suggests that S, T, and P types are more drawn to Realistic work than are N, F, and J types. Hence, INFJs tend to avoid careers in this interest domain.

The Investigative domain incorporates analytic, scientific, and academic interests. Investigative types enjoy working with ideas, theories, facts, or data. As Fe types, INFJs are typically less interested in the hard sciences (e.g., physics) than they are the social sciences (psychology, sociology, geography, political science majors, etc.). They are more apt to display Investigative-Artistic (IA) interests than IR interests. INFJs with IA or AI interests commonly major in the humanities, social sciences, philosophy, religion, critical theory, the humanities/liberal arts, investigative journalism, or non-fiction writing. Law and medicine are generally not the best fit for INFJs, as these professions are better suited for TJ types.

In concert with those displaying Investigative interests, individuals with Artistic interests often have an intellectual or cultural-orientation. The Artistic theme strongly correlates Myers-Briggs Intuition, as well as, to a lesser extent, Feeling and Perceiving. The Artistic interest domain requires little explanation. It captures those with unconventional and creative interests, including actors, painters, dancers, poets, sculptors, writers, designers, and the like. Unsurprisingly, Artistic types are highly represented among students studying the arts and humanities. Those interested in library science also tend to fall under this interest domain.

INFJs commonly possess Artistic interests. Even if not great artists themselves, INFJs may choose to study the arts. As discussed in my latest eBook, My True Type, they often possess exquisite and refined tastes, displaying a deep appreciation for quality artistry of all sorts. As N dominants, most INFJs are gifted with language and writing. As J types, their natural writing style is fairly structured and analytical. While holding their own with regard to poetry and creative writing, their aptitude may be even greater in non-fiction writing, be it critical, analytical, or theoretical.

Individuals in the Social interest domain enjoy working with people. This domain is often conceived as the conceptual opposite of the Realistic domain, although some individuals enjoy working with both people and things. Social interests are common among teachers, healthcare workers, clergy, trainers, human resource professionals, and caretakers, to name a few. The Social domain relates to preferences for Extraversion and Feeling. Among the most popular careers, jobs, and majors for INFJs, are those in religion / ministry, education, mental health counseling, and medicine / healthcare.

The final two Holland domains, Enterprising and Conventional, are typically not the first choice for INFJs. The Enterprising domain entails the promotion of products, ideas, or services. Such individuals tend to be persuasive, assertive, and enjoy competitive environments. Typical Enterprising careers include sales and marketing, business and management, law, politics, journalism, insurance, and stock trading. Enterprising individuals often prefer Extroversion.

Individuals with Conventional interests enjoy administrative work. They do well with manipulating data and are organized and detail-oriented. Those in this domain often prefer Sensing (especially Si), Thinking (especially Te), and/or Judging. Hence, ISFJs are typically a better fit for Conventional careers than INFJs are.

What follows is a list of INFJ job/ career choices and college majors organized according to the Holland interest domains:

Realistic Careers (typically avoided by INFJs)

Investigative Careers:

Philosopher / theologian

Scholar, religious studies

Social scientist: psychology, sociology, political science

Researcher or research assistant

Instructional designer

Artistic Careers:

Playwright

Art / museum curator

Graphic / web design

Musician

Actor / actress

Painter, illustrator

Critic: art, film, literary, food

Editor, writer

Blogger

Photographer

Social Careers:

Counseling / counselor / therapist

Psychologist, clinical or counseling (typically prefer the latter)

Human resources professional

Teacher / college professor: art, religion, English, literature

Priest, pastor, rabbi, minister

Enterprising Careers:

Journalist

Conventional Careers:

Office manager, administrator

Paralegal / legal assistant

In sum, INFJs are generally best suited for careers that emphasize Investigative, Artistic, and / or Social types of work activities.

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Comments

Caiyunsays

I’m an INFJ and I found this article extremely relatable! The part about feeling detached from my body and the world feeling hopelessly strange and unnatural, THAT was scarily accurate. I’ve never found someone who could put that sensation into the right words. I can also attest to the fact that my Se has been keeping my in an unsatisfying job. I work as a Restaurant Manager, and while I wholeheartedly believe and expand upon the company’s idealistic vision, the lack of its manifestation leaves me feeling drained and almost worthless. My job is also fast paced, requires attention to detail, and usually stressful. The only part that brings meaning into my life is seeing truly satisfied customers leaving with smiles on their faces, but that small bit of wholeness pales in comparison the other aspects of the job that drain me. I was interested in pursuing my side art as a career, but decided against it for the same reasons listed here: my perfectionism attention to detail eventually drives me crazy, I hate working against deadlines, and creating art for someone else negates my personal belief that art should be created for the self, not others. I am now planning for a career change that is more suited for my desire to serve others and am looking for guidance online. I felt it was helpful to include my little story for others to read. I know we INFJ’s make the smallest percentage of the population, so we must cheer each other on when we get the chance!

Brittanysays

thanks for posting.

Julien Paquettesays

Indeed thanks for posting

lamb-Osays

Since I’m an INFJ and struggling with money and work, what I’m getting from this post is basically a sense of hopelessness. Which is very INFJish, I guess.

Simonesays

Lamb-O, your comment made me laugh. Of course, as an INFJ, it was internal, but a laugh.

Teachersays

I would have to disagree that teaching is a good choice for INFJ… at least public school teaching.

Monicasays

Yes, I was a teacher, and while I thought I had found the perfect profession for my creativity, what I learned fast and hard was that only 10% of the job was designing amazing lessons. 90% was mitigating disruptive behaviors (something you need a pretty strong Se for–and a lot more energy). I ended up drained and very unhappy and sad that I had invested so much time and effort into a career that wasn’t working out.
I’ve considered counseling one on one, but am concerned that, while it would be interesting to offer insights to people about their lives, that I would be drained by this as well. After teaching, I went back to school and became a business consultant, which I flat out absolutely loved, but that was tough in itself, because, while I was great at putting packages together and marketing them, the continuous need to find new clients was a real drain on my energy as well. Hm. . . .

Tiredsays

I absolutely agree. I am an INFJ teacher and went into it with idealistic and unrealistic expectations. I had 34 5th graders for 8 hours a day last year. Prior to that I never fully realized how draining large groups are for introverts. The noise is what really got to me. Now I teach ESL to small groups of middle schoolers and stay for the paycheck just like the article says. I find it exhausting and unfulfilling.

Sarasays

I completely agree with the teaching comments. I changed careers in my mid to late 20s to become a teacher. I had this strong urge to make a difference and have a positive impact in the world. Needless to say this backfired completely.

I have to say that as an INFJ, being a public school “classroom teacher” is the absolute worst career you could choose. I completely agree with your comment that you never fully realize how draining large groups are for introverts. I really didn’t realize that until I became a classroom teacher. I have never been so unhappy and exhausted in my life. And it got worse each year. I finally left teaching after my third year and I’m figuring out what to do next. Prior to being a classroom teacher, I did tutor small groups which I found to be very enjoyable and fulfilling. Between each group, I had a few quiet moments to myself to recharge, I could actually use the bathroom when I needed to (only teachers understand this!), I could eat my lunch by myself (no endless meetings to attend in which lunch and time to myself was often nonexistent), and most importantly, I could focus my attention and efforts on supporting those 4-5 students versus 30 students.

If you are an INFJ and want to pursue education, I would recommend becoming a specialist which often enables you to work with small groups. This lends itself very well to introverts who want to make a positive impact in children’s lives.

VGsays

I think INFJs can do well anywhere as long as they believe that what they are doing has a positive impact and they are intellectually stimulated (major plus if they can get creative and help people). These careers can be found in numerous places even finance, i.e. microfinance, impact investing, etc or public health or international diplomacy etc. we just have to be creative about finding our path ;)

Andrea Faulhabersays

I think the problem is that most INFJ’s won’t feel like they’re making a positive impact when working in finance.

aprilynnartsays

I work as an illustrator for a Christian curriculum company, so I like what my work ends up doing, but I have to work with kids on the weekend and have my own personal art projects to actually feel like I have a “purpose”. I can easily get overwhelmed by too many things going on at once or overlapping projects. Not by my own work or lack of it being “good” cause I’m pretty happy with how it looks. You can judge for yourself on Instagram. I can go realistic with it, but for me, as long as the message behind the art hits the “Feels” it is good. INFJs, I have to agree, do not work well in the highschool and under for teaching. Bleh. The worst. I think my “I” is too high of a level for that. One on one though? Glorious. I can teach that way.

Andreasays

Fully agree re: the one on one teaching. I have also felt that teaching a smaller group of adults (like my neighborhood quilting classes, where most of the students are probably I’s as well) can be great.

priya arorasays

can an infj person may become a good programmer…………..?

jess colesays

I had bounced around from job to job for years until 2011. My house was destroyed in a tornado and I moved out of state for a few months with my mother. When I came back I got a job as a caregiver for people with autism and now been there almost five years. I really think being an INFJhas helped me in my job

Fifisays

Reading this has been extremely eye-opening (thank you!!) I am an INFJ and the moment I discovered my personality type, it’s as if everything clicked. All that you’ve written is spot on – I’ve never felt like I fit in and also I’m also extremely dissatisfied in my high-paying energy sector job. I grew up in a very academic and goal-oriented family where, at a very young age, my desire to be an artist was quickly met with warnings from my parents about a pauper lifestyle.

I feel lost in life at the moment. I hate what I do for a living, however I treasure the security I get from my paycheck. I am thinking of starting a blog – I have a lot to say, especially about my experience post-grad school working in energy. At the same time I am exploring other opportunities. I am rambling now, but I honestly have never felt so lost in my life. I’ve always been lost in my head and never fully been present in the world (INFJ!!) but this is different. Again, thank you for writing this! I don’t feel as alone as I used to knowing there is a reason for what I feel and that there are others like me out there.

Lisasays

I completely agree. Lost is the best way to describe how I feel as well. Thanks for sharing your feelings.

Andreasays

agree! Thank you. am drowning over here…

Malikasays

Thank you for writing this article. For awhile now I’be have been struggling to find my career path that works with my personality but I’m glad I found this article

Annasays

Oh my gosh me too!

It’s amazing how so many INFJs seem to struggle with finding their way in the world career-wise. I’m nearly 30 and had a few jobs, travelled and then got ill, so starting again. Thinking about working in international development.., or some kind of social service closer to home. This article is spot on, and thank you everyone who has shared their stories, really helps.

Dylansays

I’m an INFJ and have been working for the last two years doing custodial work and general building maintenance. It’s not a very stimulating job and doesn’t involve my creativity and intuition, but I’ve been surprised by how content I’ve been cleaning toilets, mopping floors, and fixing the occasional desk or office chair.

Custodial work engages my Ne perfectionism in a deep way, and my co-workers notice and comment on how the quality of my cleaning affects their workplace, gratifying my Fe. I get constant moderate exercise in my work and have lots of time for reflection while I clean, indulging all the Ti trains of thought I care to. Perhaps the physical nature of the work is a path to Se integration, but I’ve only just started to think about that, partly thanks to this and related articles. I do know there is something very spiritual about continual, ritual cleaning of a place one grows to love.

I’m lucky to work in a supportive social environment and to be on a regular salary, which I know is not the case with all custodial work. One day I will change to a different career, but for now I am too frustrated by all the imperfections I see in the counselling/teaching/academic fields! I know this is funny considering my type, and I’m okay laughing at myself.

Dylansays

Ha, I meant to refer to my Ni perfectionism in the second paragraph. Couldn’t let that slip, obviously.

Annasays

Great to hear from somebody doing so well and enjoying their work. The way you describe the pleasures of your job is exactly what I’m after as well.i imagine moving around, getting on and getting that feedback from others to be very fulfilling. This article has helped me realise why I struggle with perfectionism so much, and why academia is not for me in any way, I get so stressed!

Does anyone on here work for the charity sector? Any feedback or reflections to offer? I’d love to hear them .. Thanks in advance!

Andreasays

I do spend about 30 hrs / month volunteering – in addition to my full time job (just negotiated every other Friday off w/out pay!!!). That is a huge plus in my life. It gives my life and my boring day job so much more meaning. I would highly recommend it. I’m helping people one-on-one and feel really great about it. Even just doing it for an hour before I come in to work makes my entire day and demeanor so much better.

Emsays

Very accurate. I have struggled all my life with poor paying careers because I am an artist and writer. Being an intuitive INFJ means I also lack many practical or technical skills, as I have no patience. I hate anything to do with administration, therefore compiling my tax return is like putting me in jail for a week. I hate to be pinned down, so any routine jobs that mean I am stuck at a desk make me feel claustrophobic. I am neither fast-paced and like to think things through carefully and considerately, which means others can get frustrated with me. My last editor was very clever in that realised he couldn’t pigeonhole me, or push me into doing anything. So, he just left me to my own devices and I flourished and paid him back threefold because he trusted that I needed to do things my way in order to perform, and perform I did to an impressive level. There is nothing I loathe more than being micro-managed. I have no interest in freeloading, work is the most important thing to me, as long as I can do the work the way I want. Generally having a good financial package means being owned, and that is my worst nightmare. It means INFJs are always caught between a rock and a hard place.

DPsays

I want to share the perspective of an INFJ who became a medical doctor. I knew it was the wrong fit the entire time. Medical school was a living nightmare for me! Talking to patients was enjoyable, but I hated memorizing minute details, writing prescriptions for treatment, working overnight, and doing procedures. Also, the competitive environment and influence of Big Pharma made me lose respect for medicine.

So I ended up specializing in pathology (making diagnoses by inspecting biopsies/tissue under the microscope). I loved looking at the beautiful cells under the microscope but could not handle doctors constantly yelling at me for diagnoses. Also, the amount of information to learn and keep track of was unbelievable! Although I appeared calm on the outside, I was constantly panicking on the inside because I wasn’t 100% sure of my diagnoses. The 13 hour workdays and stress levels (ex: the fear of malpractice for misdiagnosing a cancer) finally got to me.

I quit 1.5 years ago and still haven’t figured out what to do next. My main obstacle is employers see me as “overqualified” for entry-level positions in other industries such as non-profits. But I have no desire to return to the medical field again.

The moral of the story…INFJ’s please think twice before entering medical school. You are likely to get burnt out as a doctor because it’s emotionally, mentally, and physically draining! If you absolutely must become a doctor, please consider going to a less competitive medical school and doing a residency in family practice. Just my two cents!

Jonsays

Also think twice about becoming a detective or investigator. I was an FBI Agent for 5 1/2 years and it almost killed me. I had lofty ambitions to “show people what I could accomplish” – before the FBI I flew airplanes in the Navy. Again, I never felt comfortable with it. Always felt like an outsider. Creating meaningful relationships and helping people become a better version of themselves was always something I gravitated towards. It was what I was good at. So I left the FBI when the housing market turned around and cashed out with the equity I accumulated in my coastal California home.

For the last 2 years, I’ve been half-assing it as a speaker and a coach – I say that because I haven’t burned my boats. I can’t seem to go all in. Also, client creation and generating business has been frustrating for me.

I’m still searching for the right career fit – it has just been very hard to figure out.

Confusedsays

“But those who choose either an unsatisfying career, or one with lower pay, may loathe the fact that sacrifices must be made. In this situation, they may feel forced to either take a higher-paying, but ultimately less satisfying job, or to endure financial hardships that may hamstring their N productivity.”

I feel like this describes my life right now – mid 20’s I decided to do a degree in Science. I’m just about done with it after 8 years and 2 children, and have come to realise it wasn’t for me, and I’d have been better off working in childcare, as I used to, or doing something more ‘people’ related – I didn’t because I had this idea that “I’m not a people person” as I was bullied and unpopular in school.

rosysays

How about if somebody was iNFJ and wanted to become a pilot
will that be a good match?

rosysays

how about if someone was INFJ And wanted to become a pilot?
will that be a good match?

Alexandrasays

Omg this is me. Crazy. Yes I struggle w a career. Rather I’m close to 30 and haven’t picked one to because when I was younger there were too many options I thought I’d be good at and picking one made me feel like I was missing out on everything I didn’t pick them as I got older I realized I was also a perfetionist to the point where working w physical things and other ppl stressed me out. Now I’m seeking a career to choose for myself that will leave me with enough money yet still make me happy. It’s not that I couldn’t be good at everything I just need something that will make me happy long term. Maybe I should try psychology after all.

Jamessays

Hi, I’m an INFJ particularly interested in the suitability of stock trading for INFJs.

I noticed on your ENTP page that stock trading is listed under “Investigative”, but on this page it’s under “Enterprising”. This is important because you suggest INFJs gravitate towards Investigative but not so much to Enterprising.

So, please could you clarify how suitable you think stock trading may be to an INFJ?

Perhaps it depends on exactly which job you are talking about within the broad phrase “stock trading”? E.g. there’s short term trading lasting minutes, or long term trading lasting decades.

Thanks

Jessicasays

Alright, well I’m not feeling much better after reading all of the comments. Doesn’t seem like anyone has found the perfect fit. Sounds like many INFJs are creative and artistic, but unfortunately that field doesn’t pay well. I feel like I’m back to square one.